Switch-controlling device



Dec. 11, 1928.

G. H. MIDDLEMISS SWITCH CONTROLLING DEVI CE Filed June 21, 1923 5Sheets-Sheet l mmf N mz E m i lw Dec. 11', 1928.

Dec; 11, 1928.

G. H. MIDDLEMISS SWITCH CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed June 21, 1923 5Sheets-Sheet a t Maw G. H. MIDDLEMISS SWITCH CONTROLLING DEVICE FiledJune 21, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Dec. 11, 1928.

G. H. MIDDLEMISS SWITCH CONTROLLING DEVICE v a 5 m J 4 t 9 WW HM e a w4W6 /C 5 v 6 j w/ a Filed June 21, 1925 im 4 E mm Patented Dec. 11,1928.

UNITED STATES I GEORGE E. MIDDLE MISS, 0F BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

SWITCH-CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Application filed June 21,

This invention relates to an automatic switch controlling device, itsobject being to control the closing of a main switch to which it isattached, making the switch an automatic reclosing switch and providingin the device itself a trip free mechanism.

A further object is to provide means for remote control of both theopening and closing of any switch apparatus, said means being of simplecharacter and design to dispense with the present solenoid operatingmechanism commonly used with remote control switches, and thereby toeliminate expensive storage batteries and auxiliary apparatus of thischaracter common in large sub-stations.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improvedapparatus wherein a switch, opened through the action of an overload orother like means may be automatically closed after a predeterminedtimed'interval.

A second important object of the invention is to rovide an improvedarrangement of this c aracter. wherein the closing of the switch maybeefl'ected. either manually or automatically as desired.

A third important object of the invention is to provide an improvedmechanism wherein both the opening and closing of the switch may becontrolled either manually or automatically.

' With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter aparent, the invention consists in general 0 certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the form of apparatus adapted for use for bothautomatic and manual opening and closing of the switch, the outlines ofa well known type of main switch being illustrated above, and theapparatus itself being shown in its relation thereto below.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of this form of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is an=enlarged detail side elevation showing the parts in asecond position in full lines, and in a third position in dotted lines,the dotted lines disclosing certain of the 1923. Serial 1T0. 646,885.

parts in their position when the main switch is open.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of a certain latch mechanism used in connectionherewith a trigger forming part of this mechanism eing shown in posltionof engagement in full lines, and in position of release in dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 4' 1n the position theyassume when the switch is open, and just prior to the restoration of thelatch to the normal position indicated in -full lines in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 isa detail section on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a detail section on the line 7--7 of Fig. 2 and showing thegearing arrangement.

Fig. is a diagrammatic view disclosing the wiring of this form of theinvention.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a somewhat modified and simplifiedform of the device arranged for automatic opening under overloadconditions and automatic closing.

- Fig. 10 is aside view of this modified form of the device.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic 'view of this form of the device showing atypical wiring arrangement adapted for use in connection therewith.

. Fig. 12 is a detailed section of one of the solenoids.

In the construction of the device as shown in Figs; 1, 2 and 3, it willbe seen that there is disclosed a main switch 10 of well known type,this switch being normally closed and actuated through the medium of alever 11 and rod 12which connects to the switch control apparatusproper. This switch control apparatus is mounted on a base 13 which isin turn mounted on a suitable foundation 14, this foundation having atone end a spring pit'15. On the base 13 is mounted a pair of bearings 16wherein is journaled a shaft 17 on which is keyed a worm wheel 18. Thiswormwheel 18 is engaged by a worm 19 carried on the shaft of a motor 20.On the shaft- 17 is also provided a pinion 21 which meshes with a largegear 22 fixed on the cam shaft 23 of the device, this shaft beingmounted in bearings 24 carried on the base 13.

Pivotally mounted on the shaft 17 is a pair of lever arms 125which carryat their ends a pin 26 supporting a plate 27. to which is secured theupper ends of a set of springs 28, the lower ends of these springs beingsecured to a plate 29 embedded in the foundation 14, the purpose of thisarrangement being to provide for proper length of the springs. Thesesprings are tension springs and normally urge the ends of the bars towhich they are attached downward. Spaced from the shaft 17, the arms 25are connected by a slugshaft 3O whereon is mounted a roller 31. Fill.v11 the shaft 23 is a spiral cam 32, the roller 31 and cam 32 co-actingin such manner that operation of the motor 20 will serve to rotate thecam in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3, and thus cause raising ofthe lever arms 25. A second pair of lever arms, which I will term fordistinction the trip arms 33, are also provided on the shaft 17 andextend toward the spring end of the main lever arms 25. These trip leverarms lie between the main lever arms and are provided adj acent theirforward ends with downwardly extending arms 34 between the lower ends ofwhich is pivoted a trigger 35 so positioned as to engage a roller orstop 36 carried by bearings 37 extending upward from the base 1-3.Extending between the trip lever arms 33 is a pin 38 to w ich is pivotedthe lower end of the rod 12. These parts are so arranged that when thetrip lever arms 33 are in their downward position, the trigger 35 willengage the roller 36 and hold these arms downward. Furthermore, with thetrip lever arms in their downward position, as shown in Fig. 1, and infull lines in Fig. 3, the switch 10 is closed.

Extending from the trigger 35 is an arm 39, and beneath the end of thisarm is located a plunger 40 surrounded by a solenoid coil 41, thearrangement being such that energization of the solenoid will causelifting of the plunger 40, so that the trigger 35 will be freed from itsroller or stop 36. Under these conditions, the switch 10 will open bygravity. A spring 42 normally serves to hold the trigger in rollerengaging position but yields, upon the depression of the arms 33, topermit the trigger tomove around the roller 36 into its engagingposition. The ends of the arms 33 are connected by a pin 43 whereon ismounted a trigger 44 adapted for engagement by a roller45 carried on apin 46 connecting the arms 25. This trigger 44 is normally held inroller engaging position by means of a suitable compression spring 47 asshown, this spring pressing down on an arm. 48 which. when the arms 33are in locked down position, lies over the solenoid plunger 40 so thatthe operation of this solenoid plunger not only frees the trigger 44from the roller 45 in the event that the arms 25 are in their de ressedposition but also disengages trigger 5 from roller 36, as hereinbeforeexplained, permitting arms 33 to move upward. Beneath. the free ends ofthe arms 25 is located a dash pot 49 and connected to said arms is apiston rod 50 carrying a piston 51 operating in said dash pot. The arms25 are also extended away from the springs beyond the shaft 17 andbetween these ends of the arms, which are preferably termed the rearends, located a. roller 52 adapted for engagement by a locking trigger53 pivoted between bearings 54 on the base 13, and provided with an arm55 extending over the plunger 56 of a solenoid 57. A stop loop 58 servesto limit the movement of the trigger 53.

Before considering further the remainder of the apparatus, we will nowfollow the operation of the portion which has just been described.Normally the main lever arms are in the position shown in Fig. 1, thatis to say, their rear ends are locked down and their front ends raisedso that the springs 28 are under tension. At this time the cam 32 is insuch position that release of the trigger 53 will permit these arms 25to drop downward. It is to be noted that the arms 33 are bent so thatthese arms may also be locked down while the rear end of the arms 25 arelocked down. Under these conditions, suppose the solenoid 41 to beenergized; its core 40 will raise and will engage the arms 39 and 48,thus releasing the trigger 35 from the roller 36 whereupon the arms 33will rise to the dotted line position in Fig. 3 through the action ofthe gravity biased switch 10: These arms will remain in thisraisedposition until the solenoid 57 is energized, whereupon the trigger 53will release from the roller 52, and the springs 28 will pull the arms25 downward and carry with them the arms 33 thus closing the switch.However, if the solenoid 41 still remains energized, the arm 48 willcontact with the solenoid core 40 as the arms 33 come down, and thetrigger 44 will release from the roller 45 so that the arms 33 willagain fly up and will then remain up until the, cam 32 has been revolvedby the action of the motor 20 to such position that the roller 45engages the trigger 44. So long as the solenoid 57 remains energized thearms 25 will alternately rise and fall, but if the solenoid bedeenergized the movement of the arms 25 downward under the influence ofthe spring 28 will carry down the arms 33 and these arms will lock downby reason 01 the engagement of the trigger 35 with the roller 36'. Thenupon the next upward movement of the arms 25, the trigger 53 will engagethe roller 52 and lock these arms in their raised position ready for thenext cycle of operations.

It will be obvious that the solenoids 41 and 57 may be controlled in avariety of ways, either manually or automatically. and as an example ofthe manner in which said control may be obtained, reference may throughthese wires is controlled by the main switch 10. These line wires areconnected by wires 61 with the primary winding of a transformer 62. Themotor 20 is here shown as a commutator motor but it ma be of anypreferred type.

n the shaft 23 is mounted a contact wheel having an insulating segment63, and a conductor segment 64. A pair of brushes bear on this contactWheel, and one of these brushes is connected by a wire 66 with the motor20, the other brush being connected by a wire 67 with the secondarywinding. of the transformer 62. The remaining brush of the motor isconnected by a. wire 67' with the secondary winding, of the transformer62. Also the wire 66 is connected b a wire 68 with a spring contact 69fixe on the standard of the bearing 16. From this contact 69 a rod 70extends upward through a bar 71 mounted on the arms 25. On the rod 70 isa stop collar 72 against which the bar 71 engages upon downward movementof the rear ends of the arms 25. There is also provided a contact 73wherewith the contact 69 engages when the springs 28 draw the arms 25downward. This contact73 is connected by a wire 74 with the wire 67.

In series in the line wire 60 is the solenoid winding 60 of an overloadrelay having a movable contact 60" arranged to be moved, upon overloadenergization of the soleniod winding, into engagement with the contacts60 and 60. From the contact 60 a wire 76 leads to a battery 75. Thebattery is also connected by a wire 78 with the solenoid 41, the otherend of the winding being connected by a wire 79 with the overload relaycontact 60 Thus, when the overloadrelay is operated by an overload, acircuit will be closed from the battery 75 through the wire '76, contact60, contact 60, contact 60", wire 7 9,'solenoid winding 41, and wire 78back to the battery. Consequently, the solenoid winding 41 will beenergized and the latches or triggers 35 and 44 will be moved to permitthe arms 33 to rise and the switch 10 will open. With the cam in theposition shown in Fig. 3, it will be observed that one of the contactfingers 65 rests on the insulating segment 63 so that no current canflow through these contact fingers. Furthermore, with the arms 25 in theposition shown in Fig. 1, contact will be broken between the contacts 69and 73. Consequently, under these conditions, the switch 10 will remainopen even though the overload relay contacts be opened, and the batterycircuit interrupted.

In order to actuate the solenoid 57 one end of the winding of thissolenoid is connected by a wire 80 withthe battery 75, through the wire76, the other end of said winding being connected by a wire 81 with thewire 78 through a switch 82. Now it will be seen upon closing of theswitch 82 the solenoid 57 will be energized and the trigger 53 moved toreleased position so that the springs 28 will operate to depress thefront ends of the arms 25 and bring down'the'arms 33, thus closing theswitch 10.' At the same time this movement of the arms 25 will permitclosing of the circuit through the contact 69 and 73, and in consequencecurrent will flow from the transformer-62 through the wire 67, wire 74,contact 7 3,.contact 69, wire 68, motor '20, wire 67 and transformer.62. This will cause operation otthe motor,

and the conse uent rotation of the cam. This rotation o the cam willraise the arms 25 and the raising of these arms will,toward the end ofthe movement, break the circuit between contact 73 and 69, but at thistime, both of the contact fingers 65 will be on the conductor segment64, and the revolution of the cam will continue until one of thesefingers has passed on. to the insulating segment 63, this movementtaking place when the cam is in position to allow free dro pin of theroller 31.

However, unliass t e'solenoid 57 be energized by the closing of theswitch 82 the 2 arms 25 will beheld raised so that the parts will againassume the position shown in Fig. 1. On the contrary, so long as thesolenoid .57 is energized, the arms 25 will alternately rise and fall.

Furthermore, means may be provided, in some instances, whereby thesolenoid 41 may be under the control of an operator at the switchboardor other distant station. To this end there may be provided a wire 83which leads to a manually controlled switch 84, a- Wire85 leading fromthe stationary contact of this switch to the wire 79. Under thesecircumstances, when the switch 84 is closed, current will flow from thebattery through the wire 80, wire 83, switch 84, 'wire 85, wire 79,solenoid 41 and wire 7 8 back to' the battery 75. Thus closing of theswitch 84 will energize the solenoid 41, and trip the trip levers 33 sothat they open the switch 10.

In the remaining form of the device, as shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11",it will be seen that the ;device is substantially that just describedwith certain of the parts omitted, these parts including the trigger 35and its associated elements, the trigger 53 and its associated elements.The operation of this form of the device and its wirmg connections are.however, to a certain extent different and while the same referencecharacters are used for those parts which are alike in the two, certainvariations occur in the wiring which will now be described.

In Fig. 11, it will be noted that the wire (37 does not lead as in Fi 8.but is con nccted to an auton'iatic switch reclosing device T2 operatedby the shaft and the details of which are disclosed in my co-pendingapplication, bearing the Serial Number 581,749, which was filed on the14th day of August, 1922. From this resetting apparatus the wire 74leads to the contact 73. With this arrangement overload on the linewires :79 and (it) beyond the switch 10, the abnormal current throughthe solenoid winding closes the overload relay as before, and the armsrise and the switch 10 opens, as described in reference to Fig. 8. Theupward movement of the arms 33 permits closing of contact betweencontacts 69 and 73, and thus starts the motor 20 which, by the action ofthe cam 32, raises the lever When this lever reaches its uppermostposition, the trigger 44 is engaged by the roller 45. Thereupon, furthermovement of the cam permits the lever 25 to drop under the influence ofspring 28 and the arms 33 are pulled downward and close switch 10. Itthe overload no longer persists, the arms 33 are held down and theswitch is held closed since downward movement of these arms breaks themotor circuit and the movement of the cam stops. If overload stillpersists the overload relay again operates to, trip the trigger 44 andthe operation is repeated for the second closing of the switch 10. Ifthe overload still persists after the second closing of the switch andits being again opened, further reclosing movement will be stoppedthrough the action of the cutout switch forming part of the apparatusindicated at 72 as described in the aforesaid copcnding application,this occurring, of course, it the cutout is set for two consecutiveoperations of the switch. It will thus be seen that this form of thedevice is especially adapted 'for use in connection with the device ofthe application aforesaid whenever the same is used to control oilswitches which are not in themselves equipped with trip free mechanism.

It will now be seen that with this arrangement closing of the switch 10will take place with each downward movement of the actuating arms 25,and alternately opening and closing of said switch will continue so longas the overload circuit bre er remains open. since the cnergization ofhe solenoid ll will cause tripping of the trigger 44 with each movementof the actuating orresetting arms downwardly. Also as soon as theoverload circuit breaker (H can be closed and remain closed, or in otherwords, as soon as the overload has passed from the line wircs. theswitch 10 will be closed and held closed since the solenoid 41 will bede-enerplunger will not affect the the switch 10 is fully open, andthese trip levers 83 reach their highest position. This is because ofthe possibility of the actuating arms or levers 25 moving downwardly atthe instant when it is desirable that the trip levers 33 should moveupwardly. To this end provision is made to lock the trigger 44 in itsdisengaging position during upward movement of the trip lever arms 33,and to release the trigger so that it may assume its normal positionupon completion of this upward movement. The means for doing this areshown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, wherein the spring 47 is omitted in orderto show the remaining parts more clearly. By an inspection of thesefigures, it will be seen that an arrow-headed lug 94 depends from thehead 95 of the connecting rod 12, and from the arm 48 extends upwardly apair of notched spring arms 96 which engage the lug 94 upon the arms 48being raised, thus assuming the position shown in dotted lines in Figure4. Now, as the trip arms 33 rise, they will move angularly with respectto the rod 12. Consequently, the arrow-headed lug 94 will swinglaterally in the position shown in Fig. 5 whereupon the spring arms 96will be released from the lug 94, and the trigger 44 allowed to resumeits normal position with res eet to the arms 33.

There has t us been provided a simple and efiicient device of the kinddescribed and forthe purpose specified.

is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and constructionofthe invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It isnot, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact formherein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such asproperly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. A circuitincluding a main switch, an operating mechanism for the mainswitch including a trip lever and means actuated by an overload on themain switch for tripping the trip lever to open the main switch, andresetting mechanism including an oscillating lever operable to effectresetting of the trip lever engageable with and disengageable from thetrip lever, motor means to oscillate the resetting lever,said motormeans including an auxiliary means normally tending to move theresetting lever in one direction and to impart an initial movement tosaid lever, means aetuated by the initial movement of the re settinglever for energizing the motor means, and means controllable by loadconditions in the circuit and controlling the mutual engagement anddisengagement of said levers and also the initial movement of theresetting lever.

2. A circuit including a main switch, an operating mechanism for themain switch including a trip lever and means actuated by an overload onthe main switch for tripping the trip lever to open the main switch, andresetting mechanism including an oscillating lever operable to effectresetting of the trip lever engageable with and disengageablcfrom thetrip lever, motor means to oscillate the resetting lever, said motormeans including an auxiliary means normally tending to move theresetting lever in one direction and to impart an initial movement tosaidlever, means actuated by the initial movement of the resetting leverfor energizing the motor means, means controllable by load conditions inthe circuit and controlling the mutual engagement and disengagement ofsaid levers and also the initial movement of the resetting lever, andretarding means for controlling theaction of the oscillating lever.

3. A circuit including a main switch and an overload relay, a trip leverconnected to the main switch, latch means for the trip lever normallyholding the lever in position to hold the main switch closed, meansactuated by theclosing of the relay for effect ing release of the latchmeans, a resetting lever for moving the trip lever in resettingdirection carrying an element coacting with the latch means, motoractuated means operable by overload conditions in the circuit for movingthe resetting lever into position for engagement by the latch means,other means for moving said resetting lever in the opposite direction tocause switch closing movement of the trip lever, and means actuated bythe initial movement of the resetting lever for energizing the motor ofthe motor actuated means.

4. A circuit including a main switch and an overload relay, a trip leverconnected to the main switch, latch means fo'rthe tri lever normallyholding the lever in position to hold the main switch closed, meansactuated by the closing of the relay for effecting release of the latchmeans, a resetting lever carrying an element coacting with the latchmeans, motor actuated means operable by overload conditions in the cirgcuit for moving the resetting lever into posi-' tion for engagement bythe latch means, other means for moving said resetting lever in theopposite directionto cause switch closing movement of the trip lever,means actuated by the initial movement of the resetting lever forenergizin the motor of the motor actuated means, an other latch meansreleasable under overload conditions in the circuit for restraining thetrip lever from movement to open the main switch.

5. A circuit including a main switch and an overload relay, a trip leverconnected to the main switch, latch means for the trip lever normallyholding the lever in position to hold the main switch closed, meansactuated by the closing of the relay for effecting release of the latchmeans, a resetting lever carrying an element coacting with the latchmeans, motor actuated means operable by overload conditions in thecircuit for moving the resetting lever into position for engagement bythe latch means, other means fornioving said resetting lever in theopposite direction to cause switch closing movement of the trip lever,other latch means releasable under overload conditions in the circuitfor restraining the trip lever from movement to open the main switch,means actuated by the initial movement of the resetting lever forenergizing the motor of the motor actuated means, and means to retardthe switch closing movement of the levers.

'6. A circuit including a main switch and an overload relay, a trip'lever connected to the main switch, latch means for the trip levernormally holding the lever in position to hold the main switch closed,means actuated by the closing of the relay for effecting releaseof thelatch means, a resetting lever carrying an element coacting with thelatch means, motor actuated means operable by overload conditions in thecircuit for moving the resetting lever into position for engagement bythe latch means, other means for moving said resetting levers in settinglever for energizing the motor of the motor actuated means, and otherlatch means releasable under overload conditions in the circuit forrestraining the trip lever from movement to open the main switch, andelectrically controlled trip means to hold the resetting lever againsttrip lever actuating movement.

7. A circuit including a main switch and an overload relay, a trip leverconnected to the main switch, latch means for the trip lever normallyholding the lever in position to hold the main switch closed, meansactuated by the closing of the relay for effecting release of the latchmeans, a resetting lever carrying an element coacting with the latch theinitial movement of the resetting lever for energizing the motor of themotor actuated means, other latch means releasable under overloadconditions in the circuit for restraining the trip lever from movementto open the main switch, a remote manual control for said latch means,and electrically controlled trip means to hold the resetting leveragainst trip lever actuating movement.

8. A circuit including a main switch and an overload relay, a trip leverconnected to the main switch, latch means for the trip lever normallyholding the lever in position to hold the main switch closed, meansactuated by the closing of the relay for effecting release of the latchmeans, a resetting lever carrying an element coacting with the latchmeans, motor actuated means operable by overload conditions in thecircuit for moving the resetting lever into position for engage, ment bythe latch means, other means for moving said resetting lever in theopposite direction to cause switch closing movement of the trip lever,means actuated by the initial movement of the resetting lever forenergizing the motor of the motor actuated means, other latch meansreleasable under overload conditions in the circuit for restraining thetrip lever fronr movement to .open the main switch, means to retard theswitch closing movement of the levers, and electrically controlled tripmeans to hold the resetting lever against trip lever actuating movement.

9. A controlling mechanism for a main switch biased to open position,including in combination with a. trip lever connected to the switch, ofa resetting lever and a stationary stop, a plurality of trip mechanismscarried by the trip lever one of which is co-. operative with theresetting lever to hold the trip lever and the other with said stop, andmeans operative by an overload to release said tripping means from saidstationary stop and the resetting lever.

10. A controllin mechanism for a switch, including in com ination with atrip lever connected to the switch, of a resettin lever engageable withthe trip lever, means to hold the resetting lever and through theresetting lever the trip lever in position to hold the switch closed,tripping means to connect the trip lever to the resetting lever and astationary stop and tripping means toconnect the trip lever with thestationary stop, and means operative by an overload to release bothtripping means and allow the switch to open.

11. A controlling mechanism for a main switch biased to open position,including in combination with a trip lever connected to the switch and aresetting lever pivotallv connected to the trip lever, of tripping meansoperative to connect the resetting lever with the trip lever, astationary stop and tripping mechanism carried by the trip lever toengage said stop, and means operative by an overload to release saidtripping means from said stationary stop and the resetting lever.

12. A controlling mechanism for a switch, including in combination witha trip lever connected to the switch, of a resetting lever with bothlevers being operative on a common pivot, means to hold the resettinglever and through the resetting lever the trip lever in position to holdthe switch closed, trip ping means to connect the trip lever to theresetting lever, a stationary stop and tripping means to connect thetrip lever with the stationary stop, and means operative by an overloadto release both tripping means and allow the switch to open.

13. A controlling mechanism for a switch normally biased to openposition, including in combination with a trip lever and connections tothe switch, of a resetting lever, both levers being operable in parallelplanes and the resetting lever engageable to the trip lever to hold theswitch in closed position, means to operate the resetting lever, a tripfor holding the resetting lever in inoperative position, means torelease the trip from the resetting lever and means to disengage thetrip lever from the resetting lever.

14. A controlling mechanism for a switch normally biased to openposition, including in combination with a trip lever and connections tohold the switch closed, of a resetting lever engageable to the triplever to hold the switch in closed position and releasable to allow theswitch to open, a spring means to operate the engaged resetting and triplevers, a trip for holding the resetting lever in inoperative position,electrically operated means to release the trip from the resetting leverand electrically operated means to disengage the trip lever from theresetting lever.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

GEORGE H. MIDDLEMISS.

